As we started down the road was paved. The miles rolled on and still pavement.

We were close to 7 miles in, riding a very brisk pace when these 2 Spaniards (Oscar & Lola) passed us riding 2 up on an 800 GS...and then gave us a lesson on how it's done, fast and smooth. They were like one body on the bike, her head off to the left so she could see the road ahead and knew what was coming...very impressive!

But at a little more than 15 miles in, the pavement ended and a road crew advised us that the road beyond was impassable. Oscar, the Spaniard, walked down to see for himself and returned to confirm the bad news.

This was Oscar's, "you tellin' me I can't go on" expression, before he took a look for himself!

Oscar and Lola have been on the road for 2 years. They started in Argentina and have been as far north as San Francisco. They ride fast, and are off road in the dirt as much as possible...but they stay in areas they like to spend days checking it out. Their BMW is covered with tape, so that every logo and identifying mark is hidden...it looks like your average old beat up bike. They have learned a lot and generously share what they've picked up along the way.

This is our group, trying to figure out where to go from here.

This is the view down into the Canyon, 100 yards from the road work...it is the "money shot", the perspective that for the first time lets you see how deep and immense Copper Canyon is.